- Two primary challenges face
veterinarians interested in caring for pet rodents. The first is purely financial. The
more common pet rodents - guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils - are inexpensive
to purchase and maintain. So most people who choose these rodents as pets do not spend
much on veterinary care. For this reason, veterinarians must provide these animals the
most economical treatment feasible. The second challenge stems from the patient's
diminutive size. The doses of many medications used in rodents are so minute that some
creativity may be required to dilute and properly administer them. Developing a good
relationship with a local compounding pharmacist can be beneficial. The number of
compounding pharmacists promoting their services to veterinarians is increasing, and most
of these pharmacists will ship drugs anywhere in the country. Because the amounts of
medication required are so small, the cost of these products is usually quite reasonable.
Before treating pet rodents, inform your clients that the medication will be used in an
extralabel fashion. Ideally, clients should sign a release acknowledging this fact. Few
pharmacokinetic trials have been performed in rodents commonly kept as pets. This article
is intended to provide small-animal clinicians basic information on drugs used to treat
the more common conditions seen in pet rodents.
Because most referenced drug dosages for rodents are empirical, and wide dose ranges are
often given, you may want to consult several references before choosing a drug or dosage
for a pet rodent. Client education is also essential so owners will understand the
importance of monitoring their pets closely, discontinuing medications at the first sign
of side effects, and notifying their veterinarians of any problems. Many clients bond with
their pet rodents and appreciate veterinarians' efforts to use the latest medical
information when treating their animals. Despite he many challenges, treating pet rodents
can be rewarding.

Included in the article are tables outlining dosage and route of administration of
antimicrobials and miscellaneous drugs used in pet rodents.

VIN SUMMARY:

Two primary challenges, cost and patient size, face veterinarians. Pet
rodents are quite inexpensive, thus veterinary care of any extent may cost more than an
owner is willing to pay. Plus, patient size often requires minuscule amounts of
medication, thus requiring dilution for proper administration. (And, since few drugs are
labeled for rodents, owners should be informed of extra-label drug use and a signed
release obtained.)

Antimicrobials

Antibiotics (oral, and sometimes topical) can cause fatal changes in intestinal
microflora. (Gram negative bacteria overgrow and cause enterocolitis and diarrhea.) Oral
lactobacillus supplements have been used to ameliorate the gastrointestinal side-effects,
but their effectiveness is debatable.

Lime sulfur diluted 1:40 in water, applied as a dip once a week for 6 weeks

Sarcoptes mites in guinea pigs, rats, and hamsters

Fur mites in mice and rats

*Keep animals in a warm draft-free location after dipping

1% lindane baths, once a week for 3 weeks

Sarcoptes mites in guinea pigs

*Keep animals in a warm draft-free location after dipping

0.5% malathion dip, sponged on

Lice in guinea pigs and mice

NOT SAFE in preweanling animals

*Keep animals in a warm draft-free location after dipping

Amitraz: diluted with water according to package directions (wash animals at two-week
intervals for 3 - 6 treatments), or diluted at five times the package directions for
greater safety (1 bottle per 10 gallons water, and wash animals at two week intervals
for 3 - 6 treatments)

Demodicosis in gerbils, hamsters, and rats

*Keep animals in a warm draft-free location after dipping

Flea powders, sprays, and foams approved for cats are usually safe

Lice, fur mites, fleas in guinea pigs, rats and mice

Thoroughly clean and sanitize the pets environment prior to returning it to that
environment. Repeat thorough cleaning with each subsequent treatment.

Miscellaneous drugs for various conditions (see table below)

Dermatophytosis (Trichophyton mentagrophytes) is zoonotic. Treatment must
include clearing the lesions and eliminating the organism from the environment (cage and
accessories).

Griseofulvin is teratogenic and should not be used in pregnant animals

Vitamin C deteriorates rapidly in stored feed/water; fresh solutions should be made
frequently

Organophosphate poisoning: treat with atropine

Anaerobic infection: treat with metronidazole

Warfarin poisoning: treat with vitamin K

Delayed parturition: treat with oxytocin

Miscellaneous Drugs Used in Pet
Rodents

Agent

Dose

Route

Atropine

10 mg/kg q 20 minutes

Subcutaneously

Balanced electrolyte solutions

10 ml/100 g body weight SID

Subcutaneously, intravenously, intraosseously, intraperitoneally

Doxapram hydrochloride

2  5 mg/kg q 15 minutes

Subcutaneously, intravenously, intraosseously

Epinephrine

0.02  0.2 mg/kg

Intravenously, intraosseous bolus

Griseofulvin

15 -75 mg/kg SID

Orally

Ivermectin

200  400 m g/kg

Subcutaneously, orally

Metronidazole

20 mg/kg SID

Orally

Oxytocin

0.2  3 units/kg

Subcutaneously, intramuscularly

Vitamin C

200  400 mg/liter drinking water,

make fresh daily

Orally

Vitamin K

1  10 mg/kg PRN

intramuscularly

Routes of Administration

Drinking water, as a route of administration, has many drawbacks. It is difficult
to monitor consumption (especially if in multiple-animal housing), patients tend to drink
less (or even none) because of taste and color, and desert dwellers always drink little
(healthy or ill).

Antibiotics, if used in drinking water, must dissolve easily, mix well, and be changed
daily. Deionized (not tap) water must be used.

Oral administration is cheaper and more convenient.

Parenteral administration is the most effective route, but usually costs more than
oral. (Some owners can be taught to give injections at home.)

Educate clients to monitor closely, discontinue medications at any sign of side
effects, and contact the veterinarian if any problems arise.